Soaking in a fragrant herbal bath sounds like heaven, doesn’t it? It’s relaxing and refreshing, which is why lavish bathing practices have been around for centuries.
Many herbs have therapeutic properties when their essentials oils are released in hot water. So, whether it’s to relieve aches and pains, ease stress, or provide comfort from a cold and flu, there’s a herbal bath for you!
Healing Herbs For Your Bath
The herbs below have properties that nourish, soothe, relieve tired or aching muscles, or calm and clear the mind and invigorate the body. Combine any of these for whatever ails you and soak away!
1. Basil - Basil eases stress, relieves muscle spasms and improves skin hydration.
2. Calendula - Calendula promotes healing of skin abrasions, eczema, sunburn, diaper rash.
3. Chamomile - Chamomile relieves stress and anxiety. Eases muscle soreness, and soothes skin.
4. Eucalyptus - Eucalyptus is known for its ability to clear nasal passages. It also helps to relieve joint pain and sore muscles. (Health Canada advises to keep Eucalyptus products out of reach of children and if ingested to call poison control)
5. Hops - Hops help you relax and eases tension and anxiety.
6. Hyssop - Hyssop is helpful for relaxing, and it eases muscle stiffness.
7. Lavender - Lavender has always been known for its healing powers. It’s relaxing, stress-reducing, uplifting, and eases headaches.
8. Lemon Balm - Lemon Balm is refreshing and soothes tired muscles.
9. Peppermint - Peppermint is refreshing, relaxes muscles and cramps, is an effective pain reducer, relieves itching, and is a good cold and flu treatment.
10. Rosemary - Rosemary helps with muscle pain and tension, and acts as a mild astringent.
11. Sage - Sage is stimulating, cleansing, astringent, and has antiseptic properties.
12. Thyme - Thyme is cleansing, and helps with skin abrasions.
13. Yarrow - Yarrow is a great cold and flu treatment, and helps reduces swelling and relieves cramps
How to Make A Healing Bath
- Select a single herb or a combination of herbs for your bath. Using three or more herbs together gives a more interesting and pleasant fragrance.
- To avoid clogging the drain, and making a mess in the tub, never add loose herbs directly to the bath water - put your herbs in a cheesecloth or muslin bag.
- Use equal parts of each - around 3-4 ounces of herb mixture per tub.
- The bath water should be hot enough to release the herbal essences, but not hot enough to burn your skin.
- Lie back and relax in the tub for 15 to 20 minutes.
Try This Relaxing Bedtime Bath
Fill your bath bag with lavender, hops, chamomile, and lemon balm. Place the herbal bag under the running water as the tub fills. (You can even hang it from the faucet as the water runs) Lay back and unwind.
Important Note: Be careful with herbs around pets and children as some are toxic to them